Daniela Escalante Mtz, a dedicated student at Cochise College, has been named one of the 60 recipients of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This highly competitive national scholarship is designed to enable scholars to complete their undergraduate education with minimal debt. The award, which serves as last-dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide Escalante with up to $55,000 annually to complete her bachelor’s degree.
“I chose to enroll at Cochise College because it was close to home, and my brothers greatly influenced my decision,” said Escalante. “All three of my brothers attended Cochise, which means I was familiar with the college environment from a young age. They always spoke highly of the supportive staff.”
Escalante plans to transfer to Northern Arizona University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. “I have really enjoyed the friendly faculty and student life at the college,” Escalante shared. “During my three years here, I have been an active member and officer of PTK-Alpha Beta Zeta and the TRi Club. My involvement in student clubs has provided me with valuable experience in volunteering and building connections.”
Research from the Community College Research Center highlights the significant role of transfer pathways from community colleges in enhancing enrollment and diversity at four-year institutions.
“Community college students remain far too underrepresented at our nation’s top institutions, despite clear research demonstrating their success once they arrive. Our scholarship is one way we aim to ensure that high-achieving students have the opportunity to complete their degree where they want, regardless of their financial background,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Cooke Foundation.
In addition to financial support, scholars receive comprehensive educational advising, which is essential for navigating the transition to four-year colleges and planning their career paths. Cooke Scholars also gain access to internship opportunities, study abroad and graduate school funding, and a dynamic network of over 3,300 Cooke Scholars and alumni.
This year’s competition attracted nearly 1,700 applications from over 380 community colleges. Applicants were evaluated based on their academic excellence, financial need, perseverance, community service, and leadership qualities. A complete list of the 2024 Cooke Transfer Scholars and their respective community colleges is available here.
